How we score world models
Each model is scored 1-10 on five dimensions. The total score (out of 50) determines the ranking.
- 3D Output — Does the model generate explorable 3D environments or flat 2D video?
- Re-entry Consistency — Can you return to a scene and find the same geometry?
- Audio Quality — Is audio co-generated natively or added separately?
- Camera Freedom — Can you freely move the camera after generation?
- Access & Pricing — Is there a free tier? How easy is it to get started?
Leaderboard
| Rank | Model | 3D | Re-entry | Audio | Camera | Access | Total |
|------|-------|----|----------|-------|--------|--------|-------|
| 1 | Happy Oyster | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 45 |
| 2 | Sora | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 20 |
| 3 | Veo | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 18 |
| 4 | Runway | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 17 |
| 5 | Kling | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| 6 | Pika | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 13 |
| 7 | Seedance | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 12 |
Last updated: April 2026. Scores reflect publicly available capabilities.
Happy Oyster
Score: 45/50 — The only model that generates true 3D worlds. Directing Mode and Wandering Mode provide unmatched interactivity. Audio is co-generated natively. Free early access available. Loses points on audio consistency (still in early access) and limited documentation.
Sora
Score: 20/50 — Highest visual fidelity for passive video. No 3D output, no re-entry, no real-time editing. Requires ChatGPT Plus. Best for cinematic one-shot clips where you do not need to interact with the scene.
Runway
Score: 17/50 — Strong 2D video pipeline with the best free tier among paid models. Gen-4 offers good image-to-video. No 3D capabilities. Best for quick video edits and motion design workflows.
Kling
Score: 16/50 — Good character consistency in generated clips. Camera paths are baked at generation time. No free-form exploration. Best for short-form social video content.
Veo
Score: 18/50 — Google DeepMind's entry with high visual quality. Audio generated separately. No 3D re-entry. Best for users already in the Google ecosystem.
Pika
Score: 13/50 — Lightweight and fast. Best free tier for casual use. 2D only, no audio generation. Good for rapid prototyping and social content.
Seedance
Score: 12/50 — ByteDance's model with strong motion quality for dance and movement. 2D pipeline only. Limited free access.
What to watch next
The world model space is evolving fast. Key developments to watch in 2026:
- Happy Oyster API availability (currently undocumented)
- Sora potential 3D mode announcement
- New entrants from Meta and Apple
- Game engine export capabilities across all models